Tim Hortons coffee, family fun and Canada Day shirts were all appropriate on Friday.

WHITE ROCK — Before we discuss Pamela, the promenade, pier or pancakes in this wonderful City by the Sea, it was the priceless Sarah Palin who first popped into my mind on Canada Day.

Yes, the former Alaskan governor who once answered “all of ’em, any of ’em” when asked the names of newspapers she reads to stay up on world news, or who dismissed election polls by saying they’re “for strippers and cross-country skiers so take a chill pill!”

At about 8:10 a.m., shuffling along scenic Marine Drive with hundreds of other SFN Canada Day Rock 10K and 5K runners, I could see the U.S. (but not Russia) from the porches of many local businesses. To quote Palin: “Can I get a Hallelujah!”

Members of Semiahmoo First Nation performed during the opening ceremonies of the annual SFN Canada Day Rock event.

One runner informed me that Trooper frontman Ra (Raise A Little Hell) McGuire and hockey broadcaster Jim Hughson live here, and that former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson — the pride of Ladysmith who turned 49 on Canada Day — used to visit the beach.

Also learned as my carcass crossed the finish line that the next attraction in the fun Try Events Race Series is the 5K PNE Donut Dash on Aug. 21. It seemed more than coincidence that my arrival at the finish line triggered this reminder from the race day announcer!

Alistair Kealty was the men’s 10K winner in 37:19.3, while Vivian Davidson took the women’s crown in 39:46.4. Michael Taylor won the men’s 5K in 20:44, while Janessa Kraan was top female in 25:06.

The memorable morning included a prayer and drum song by colourful members of the Semiahmoo First Nation, the national anthem and 149th birthday wishes, a fun warmup by the November Project, a pancake breakfast and fun kids’ race.

Brie Hemingway shows off the neat Canada Day Rock medal that all finishers received Friday in White Rock.

A BRIE-TIFUL DAY: Designer athlete Brie (like the cheese) Hemingway, who last week did the Grouse Grind 10 consecutive times and then ran a zillion kilometres the following day as a “recovery” workout, has helped design logos and medals for the popular Try Events Race Series.

She was working the registration desk Friday morning and paused long enough to show off the sweet 2016 medal given to all the finishers.

Brie, who celebrated her birthday in May by going for a “fun” 15K run with friends in Deep Cove, before heading to a trampoline park in Langley with hubby and friends to bounce around for a few more hours, is also part of Team Ultra Crazy which plans to run the TransAlpine Run in Spetember — a 250K stage race through Germany, Austria and Italy.

So telling her I was just invited to the 5K PNE Donut Dash didn’t seem that impressive! Click HERE for a ‘hole’ lot more on the donut dash.

Jogger-blogger Gord Kurenoff pauses for a selfie with race-day volunteers before tackling the final hill to the finish line. That’s Shelley in the middle!

HAPPY VOLUNTEERS: Every race is made possible by the unselfish souls who sacrifice their sleep and spare time to make sure runners and walkers have a great experience.

Those helping out on Canada Day at The Rock were awesome, including Shelley Hatfield of Aldergrove. She was directing traffic and cheering on runners before they tackled the final big hill.

I stopped for a selfie (code for catching my breath) and to congratulate her on completing the Whistler Tough Mudder with her fun teammates.

Shelley’s crew, super-fun regulars at the annual Turkey Trot, Santa Shuffle and anywhere else you can dress up and get crazy, make race day worth being at!

She also sent me a great note a few weeks ago that read: “Skinnier people are easier to kidnap. Stay safe, eat cake!”

Roseanne Shannon was all smiles on Canada Day doing The Rock.

INSPIRING FINISH: Wearing a shirt with the words “If found on ground please drag over finish line,” Roseanne Shannon tackled Friday’s hilly 5K with her walker.

She finished 117th overall in 1:22:30, but her smile and encouraging words for runners and walkers never disappeared.

And she made a point to wish Happy Canada Day to everyone as they passed her, which, to quote Sarah Palin: “Is just gosh-darn, kick-ass wild.”

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